Most coffee tables are different, to suit people's individual preferences and tastes. Wooden tables suit most homes as they bring a sense of elegance and comfort to a room whereas glass tables usually only fit into a living room where the décor is modern and minimalist.

This living room furniture comes in different styles, sizes and price ranges. Most manufacturers offer coffee tables for the two ends of the sofas or such. Most coffee tables are designed in such a manner that they go with all kind of home decorating styles, but some can be categorized into modern or traditional groups. They can be made from different kinds of material, ranging from wood to steel or glass or hard plastic as well.

Scale is an important consideration these days, as larger living room furniture can dwarf older tables. When looking at coffee tables you want to look for one that won't look lost in the room, overshadowed by other furnishings. Conversely, you don't want one that takes over the room either. As you measure your room and furnishings, remember that the coffee table will be about 18" away from your sofa, love seats and chairs. It needs room to breathe and it needs room for you and your guests to move around it without it getting in the way. Most tables are 16" to 18" high, but some contemporary designs can be lower, so you want to factor that in if shopping for a modern style. Ideally, your table should be one to two inches lower than the height of the seat of your furniture. As far as length, it should be about two-thirds the length of your sofa. If you have an 8' sofa, for instance, your coffee table should be a little more than 5' in length.